Staff Report City of Manhattan Beach

Transcription

1 Agenda Item #: Staff Report City of Manhattan Beach TO: Honorable Mayor Fahey and Members of the City Council THROUGH: Geoff Dolan, City Manager FROM: Richard Thompson, Director of Community Development Rosemary Lackow, Senior Planner DATE: May 17, 2005 SUBJECT: Consideration of a Planning Commission Recommendation, as Revised, to Approve a Municipal Code Amendment and Local Coastal Program Amendment Pertaining to Regulation of Telecommunications Facilities on Public Right of Way, Public Property, and Private Property Citywide RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council: CONDUCT the Public Hearing; WAIVE further reading and introduce ORDINANCES 2075 AND FISCAL IMPLICATION: There are no fiscal implications directly related to the adoption of the proposed ordinances. BACKGROUND: Pursuant to the City Council 2004/2005 Work Plan, the City Attorney and Department of Community Development collaboratively prepared a draft Telecommunication Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to bring the City s telecommunications regulations in line with legal requirements, while retaining appropriate local control. The draft ordinance was the subject of several public hearings before the Planning Commission. On February 9, 2005 the Planning Commission adopted Resolution PC (4-1 vote) which recommends that the City Council repeal the existing telecommunications regulations and establishes new comprehensive regulations within Chapter 13 of the Municipal Code. The new telecommunications regulations would also be added to Chapter 3 of the Local Coastal Program as a separate ordinance. On April 5, 2005 the City Council conducted a public hearing and considered two ordinances (2075 and 2076) which reflected the Planning Commission s recommendations. Ordinance 2075 will incorporate the new regulations within the Municipal Code and Ordinance 2076 will implement them within the City s Local Coastal Program (Exhibits A and B). Both ordinances repeal all existing telecommunication regulations. The City Council received public input and

2 Agenda Item #: directed Staff to make certain revisions. The Council also requested Staff to research whether the National League of Cities had any relevant information or any model ordinances that may assist the City. A copy of the April 5, 2005 City Council Staff Report on this subject is enclosed with this report without attachments. The attachments for the April Staff Report may be accessed through the City s website: (agenda item number 10). DISCUSSION: The City Council directed that staff revise the draft ordinance with respect to permit procedures for telecommunication facilities in the public right of way. In particular the Council requested that Staff : incorporate an aesthetic standard for the public right of way provide a threshold for notice and appeal rights for right of way telecom facilities provide a height limit for telecom facilities proposed on walk streets and The Strand Staff has revised Section (pertaining to the right of way) as requested. Paragraph C, entitled Standard Facilities provides a list of criteria for a telecom facility that would enable that application to be administratively reviewed by staff, with no public notice. The Director of Community Development would have a final decision on such standard applications. As proposed, Standard Facilities with streamlined permit processing would be telecom facilities that: Would be constructed on an existing utility pole or light standard only; Have a maximum of four antennas up to 36 inches in height, 12 inches in width and 2 inches in depth. Have ancillary support equipment (which includes a power source and electric meter, emergency tracking equipment and a tie in to a local phone company) that does not exceed 36-inches in any dimension. Have no exterior lighting or fencing unless required by federal regulations or the Director for safety purposes. Have all new facilities and equipment located below the highest existing public utility equipment or transmission lines. Be adequately integrated into the existing utility pole or light standard by methods such as (but not limited to) matching paint, landscaping, hardscape or other material that would blend the facility in with the existing utility components and/or adjoining area. Paragraph D. of the same right of way regulations provides that public notice be provided for all other Non-Standard facilities, which are defined as any other proposed right of way facility that does not comply with the criteria for a Standard Facility such as proposing a new pole. The noticing procedures is equivalent to the same process that is provided for appealable and noticed telecom sites on private property, with notice to property owners required to be provided in a 500-foot radius both before and after the Director s decision. Paragraph H. of the same section entitled Finality of Decision provides that the Director s decision regarding a Non-Standard facility may be appealed to the City Council within ten days of the Director s decision, and the Council would be required to hear the appeal within 20 days of the date the City receives the appeal. The appeal hearing would also be advertised to surrounding owners within a 500-foot radius from the proposed site. Page 2

3 Agenda Item #: Staff has also added a fourth criteria for telecom facilities proposed on walk streets and The Strand, which requires that the height of telecom facilities in the right of way not exceed the applicable zoning building height limit that is adjoining on private property. This would be 30 feet on The Strand and for most walk streets, and to a limited degree within some portions of the Downtown Commercial District, 26 feet. As a comparison, the existing cell site on the utility pole on Valley Drive near Pacific Avenue is approximately 28 feet above the ground. National League of Cities Staff has contacted the National League of Cities in Washington D.C. for information regarding available model ordinances or issues relating to telecommunications. The League advised that they were not aware of a national model ordinance and directed Staff to its ITC (Information and Technology Communications) Policy Committee. The League s ITC Committee is currently focusing on municipal broadband issues and the need to amend the 1996 Telecommunications Act especially with respect to technology changes and related protocols regarding Internet data, especially voice and video transmissions. Information regarding the ITC Committee and its 2005 Advocacy Priority is attached for the Council s reference. Public Notice/Public Input Staff re-noticed the public hearing in the Beach Reporter on May 5 th. citizens has been received as a result of the newspaper notification. No other input from Input from Cingular Wireless As the Council is aware, the City has one cell site in the public right of way installed in 2004 by AT&T Wireless on Valley Drive near Pacific Avenue. This site was approved upon settlement of legal action brought by AT&T and is now owned and operated by Cingular Wireless, which recently purchased AT&T Wireless. Since the last Council meeting Staff obtained as-built plans for this right of way site and met with Cingular on May 6, 2005 to discuss the Valley Drive site and possible permitting requirements and parameters for similar right of way facilities. On May 10, Staff received correspondence from Cingular Wireless (copy attached) after Staff revised the draft Ordinance for presentation to the Council. As of the writing of this report Staff has not been able to fully evaluate this input but will provide comments at the hearing. CONCLUSION: Staff has revised the draft Telecommunications Ordinance to meet citizen concerns regarding standards, notice and appeal rights for applications on private and public property, public right of way and City property. The proposed ordinance provides for a comprehensive, updated and streamlined set of regulations to guide the permit process for a variety of telecommunications throughout the City. Staff believes that the proposed regulations strike a proper balance between citizens desire for public participation and protection from adverse impacts, while addressing the telecommunication industry s concerns that the ordinance provide for timely local permitting and equitable decision making process. It is recommended that the City Council conduct the public hearing and adopt the proposed ordinances. Page 3

4 Agenda Item #: Attachments: Exhibit A - Ordinances 2075 and 2076 Exhibit B - Strike-out version of Ordinance 2075 Exhibit C - City Council Staff Report (attachments not available) and minutes Exhibit D - National League of Cities information Exhibit E - Letter submitted by Cingular Wireless 5/10/05 cc: Manhattan Beach Unified School District Donald McPherson Page 4

5 ORDINANCE NO AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE MANHATTAN BEACH MUNICPAL CODE PERTAINING TO REGULATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTIES AND THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY CITY-WIDE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council hereby makes the following findings: A. The Planning Commission conducted duly noticed public hearings on October 27, December 8, 2004, January 12 and February 9, 2005 and public testimony was invited and received. On April 5 and May 17, 2005 the City Council conducted a public hearing to consider the recommendation of the Planning Commission contained in Resolution PC 05-04, adopted February 9, 2005 and public testimony was invited and received; B. The subject matter of the public hearing is the city-wide regulation of telecommunications facilities located on both public and private property consistent with legal requirements. The applicant is the City of Manhattan Beach; C. The City of Manhattan Beach is a community with a high quality of life, attractive neighborhoods and a non-urban small town ambience; D. Use of the public right of way for utilities and telecommunications requires authority for the City to protect and regulate use of the right of way by private parties for private purposes to reduce disruption to the public and degradation of public facilities; E. Use of private property for telecommunications installations requires approval from the City based upon its traditional authority over land use which should be used to protect neighborhood aesthetics; F. The walk streets and The Strand pedestrian walkway right of ways have a unique ambience in that they are public open spaces that provide visual and pedestrian access to the beach, with public visual corridors virtually unobstructed by overhead utility facilities. Alternative sites that are currently served by overhead utilities are close by and available within vehicular alleys and streets. Therefore use of the walk streets and The Strand right of way is discouraged for above ground telecommunication facilities; G. Permit requirements for use of the public right of way ensures that any work performed in the public right of way meets acceptable standards for public improvements and protects public property; H. Standards for telecommunications facilities on private property should protect the public interest and provide predictable standards for telecommunications companies who seek to install new facilities; I. Due to changes in technology and public regulations there has been a proliferation of telecommunications providers desiring to use the public right of way and private property for fiber optic systems intended to deliver a variety of telecommunications services to the public and private industry including high speed data transmission, high speed internet services, open video systems, and cable television as well as cellular sites and other wireless communication facilities; J. Federal law acknowledges local land use authority and that State law controls the use of the public right of way and California law gives control of local right of way to local government and for all purposes other than telephone, permits a local government entity to grant franchises for the use of the public right of way; 1

6 Ord K. In order to promote competition, protect the public right of way, protect neighborhoods within the City and to insure public safety, and encourage a level playing field for all competing service providers it is in the best interest of the public to set forth consistent and predictable rules and procedures for siting of telecommunications facilities to the extent permitted by Federal and State law; L. This ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act due to determination that it has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment (per CEQA Guidelines Section (b) (3)); M. The project will not individually nor cumulatively have an adverse effect on wildlife resources, as defined in Section of the Fish and Game Code. SECTION 2. Section of Chapter 10.60, Title 10, of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety and new Chapter is hereby added to Title 13 of the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code as follows: Scope CHAPTER REGULATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES The provisions of this Chapter shall govern location of telecommunications facilities in the community whether on City property, public property not owned by the City, in the public right of way or on private property Definitions APPLICANT means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, public utility, entity or organization of any kind who proposes to encroach upon a public place, right of way, sidewalk or street or construct a telecommunications facility on private or public property and who has applied for a telecom permit for the proposed encroachment or facility pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. CABLE TELEVISION means a television system by which sound and picture are received by a central reception system and transmitted by direct cable to subscribers of the system. CITY means the City of Manhattan Beach. CITY MANAGER means the City Manager of the City of Manhattan Beach or his or her designee. CITY PROPERTY means any City owned, leased or occupied non right of way property, including but not limited to parks, civic centers, parking lots, maintenance yards, and others. CO-LOCATION means the use of a common site or facility by two or more permittees, or use by one permittee of a single site for two or more technologies or facilities. COUNCIL means the City Council of the City of Manhattan Beach. DIRECTOR shall mean the Director of Community Development of the City of Manhattan Beach or his or her designee. ENCROACHMENT AREA means the section of public right of way located between the property line and the edge of the walkway or roadway. ENCROACHMENT means and includes any paving obstruction, tower, pole, pole line, pipe, fence, wire, cable, conduit, stand or building, mailbox, entry monument, or any structure or object of any kind or character which is placed on, in, along, under, over or across a public place, right of way, sidewalk or street, including any excavation on, in, along, under, over or across such a public place, right of way, sidewalk or street. ENCROACHMENT WORK means the work of constructing, placing or installing an encroachment. 2

7 Ord ENGINEER means the Manhattan Beach City Engineer or his or her designee. EXCAVATION means any opening in the surface of a public place, right of way, sidewalk or street made in any manner whatsoever. The term shall also include any excavation on private property which removes or imperils the lateral support of a public place, right of way, sidewalk or street. EXISTING/NON-CONFORMING means a previously legally constructed improvement which is not consistent with codes, guidelines or other land use regulations. OCCUPY means owning or operating any facilities that are located in Rights-of-Way. OVERHEAD STRUCTURES means any improvement extending over a public place, right of way or street. PERSON means any living individual, any corporation, joint venture, partnership, or other business entity. PUBLIC PROPERTY means any non right of way property that is owned, leased or occupied by a public agency other than the City. non right of way property including but not limited to parks, civic centers, parking lots, maintenance yards and others. PUBLIC WALKWAY means the portion of the public right of way improved and designated by the City for pedestrian travel. RIGHT OF WAY means the surface and space in, on, above, through and below any real property in which the City of Manhattan Beach has a legal or equitable interest whether held in fee or any other estate or interest, or as a trustee for the public, including, but not limited to any public street, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, lane, alley, court, sidewalk, curb, parkway, river, tunnel, viaduct, bridge, public easement, or dedicated easement. STEALTH TECHNOLOGY means technology intended to significantly reduce the visual impacts of telecommunications facilities including but not limited to simulations of landscaping or architectural features. TELECOMMUNICATIONS means the transmission of voice, video, data or other information between two or more points along wires, optical fibers or other transmission media, or using radio waves or other wireless media, including but not limited to cable television services, internet services, telephone services, cellular telephone services and other forms of communication. TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES means facilities within the City used or related to the provision of telecommunications including but not limited to, wires, optical fiber, antennae, cabinets, pedestals, transmitters, repeaters, cellular transmission or relay sites and other telecommunications related equipment. TELECOM PERMIT means a permit to locate a non-franchised telecommunications facility on City property, public property, private property, or the public right of way. TELEPHONE COMPANY/TELEPHONE UTILITY means any telephone or telegraph corporation as defined by Sections of the California Public Utilities Code (or any successor sections) which has obtained a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) or Wireless Registration Identification ( WRI ) from the California Public Utilities Commission. TELEPHONE means an instrument or system for conveying speech or other communications over distances by converting sound, data or other information into electric impulses. TELEPHONE SERVICE means provision of a system providing voice or other communication, between points. 3

8 Ord Telephone Utilities Telecommunications Facilities In The Public Right of Way A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures and regulations for processing requests to construct and maintain telecommunications facilities in the public right of way. In order to avoid installations on private property, telecommunication facilities are encouraged to be located on existing utility poles or facilities in the public right of way, with the exception of The Strand and walk streets which are closed for vehicular use. An entity holding a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) or Wireless Registration Identification ( WRI ) from the California Public Utilities Commission has the legal right to locate its facilities in the public right of way without having to obtain a franchise. City permission is required to locate and construct such a facility which cannot be allowed to interfere with public safety or other public use of the right of way, shall be coordinated with other utility installations, and constructed in conformity with standards for public rights of way. B. Telecom Permit Required. Any entity which has received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) or Wireless Registration Identification ( WRI ) from the California Public Utilities Commission as a telephone company installing facilities in the public right of way to be used to provide telephone service shall obtain a telecom permit. The Director of Community Development ( Director ) or his or her designee shall have the authority to issue such a permit provided that where alterations, fixtures or structures located within public walkways or roadways, other than temporary moveable structures, are to be placed in the public right of way, detailed plans for any such work shall be submitted to the City Engineer whose approval shall be required. C. Standard Facilities. A telecommunications permit for any Standard Facility may be approved by the Director of Community Development without notice. A Standard Facility is classified as any telecommunications facility proposed to be located in the right of way which complies with the following criteria: a. Only existing utility poles or light standards are used. b. The proposed telecom facility s location on the utility pole or light standard is at a lower elevation than the highest existing public utility transmission lines, equipment or facility. c. The size of an individual antenna is the smallest based on available technology and is no more than 36 inches in height, 12 inches in width and 2 inches in depth; d. The total number of antennas does not exceed four. e. The size of any vault, cabinet or other equipment associated with the facility does not exceed 36 inches in any dimension; f. There is no exterior facility lighting or fencing unless required by federal regulations or by the Director for safety purposes. g. The telecommunications facility is adequately integrated into the existing utility pole or light standard. Methods to integrate the telecommunications facility may include but not be limited to: matching paint color, planting landscaping materials, or installing a hardscape or other material that will blend the facility with the existing utility components and/or adjoining area. D. Non-Standard Facilities. A Non-Standard facility is any facility which does not comply with the criteria in C above. The Director of Community Development may issue a permit for a Non- Standard facility. Notice shall be given to all property owners located within five hundred (500) feet of the proposed location of a pending application both prior to and after a final decision of the Director. The first notice of the pending application shall be given at least ten calendar days prior to the decision of the Director. The second notice, informing of the decision of the Director shall be given within five days of the decision. No published notice shall be required. Notification materials, if determined to be required, shall be submitted by the applicant, and shall include a map showing the location and street address of the property that is the subject of the application and of all lots of record within 500 feet (500 ) of the boundaries of the property; and a list, drawn from the last equalized property tax assessment roll or the records of the County Assessor, Tax Collector, or the City s contractor for such records showing the names 4

9 Ord and addresses of the owner of record of each lot within 500 feet (500 ) of the boundaries of the property. This list shall be keyed to the map. E. Facilities on Walk Streets and The Strand. No telecom permit shall be issued for a telecommunications facility to be placed within the right of way of a walk street or The Strand unless the following findings can be made: a. no feasible alternative site was available for the facility; b. aesthetic impacts, including obstructions to ocean views, have been fully mitigated or avoided; c. the facility is compatible with the neighborhood in which it is located. d. the maximum height of the facility does not exceed the applicable zoning building height limit applicable to the closest adjoining private property. F. Submittal Requirements. The following material shall be submitted with an application request for a telecom permit under this section: 1. Site plan and vicinity map, which shall include distance from the proposed telecom facility and equipment to the nearest residential building(s) on any adjoining private property; 2. Elevation drawings and construction plans (survey may be required); 3. At staff discretion, color renderings, or photographs including simulations or computer generated images or on-site mock-ups showing the existing and proposed site conditions; 4. An updated wireless master plan, detailing the exact nature and location of all existing and proposed future facilities (anticipated build-out) within the city, if applicable; 5. Provide verification that the proposed facility complies with all applicable rules, regulations and licensing requirements of the FCC including a report prepared by an engineer, prepared at the applicant s expense, which quantifies the project s radio frequency (RF) exposures and compares them to FCC adopted standards. Following installation of the proposed facility, a subsequent field report shall be submitted detailing the project s cumulative field measurements of RF power densities and RF exposures, confirming that the facility complies with accepted FCC standards, if applicable; 6. Information demonstrating compliance with applicable building, electrical, mechanical and fire codes and other public safety regulations; 7. At the discretion of the Director or his or her designee the City may commission at the applicant s expense, a study evaluating the availability and feasibility, of alternate sites; 8. A construction schedule showing start and end dates, project milestones, and Emergency contact information to the satisfaction of the Director and prior to issuance of the Permit. 9. Public noticing materials as required for non-standard facility applications as provided in paragraph D of this section. G. Standard of Review. 1. Authority to limit or prohibit. The Director of Community Development ( Director ) shall have the authority to prohibit or limit the placement of new or additional facilities within the rights of way to protect the public health and welfare if there is insufficient space to accommodate the requests of all permittees to occupy and use the rights of-way. In reaching such decisions, the Director shall strive to the extent possible to accommodate all existing and potential users of the rights-of-way, and shall be guided primarily by: considerations of the public interest; the age and condition of the affected portions of the rights-of-way; the time of year and periods of economic interest including, but not limited to, holidays, special events, the protection of existing facilities in the rights of way; and future City plans for public improvements and development projects that have been determined to be in the public interest. 2. Discretionary Conditions. The Director reserves the right to require phasing of construction projects or limit the hours of construction to reduce the adverse impacts on the public health, safety and welfare. The City Engineer or his/her designee has the 5

10 Ord authority to approve or reject a method of excavation or other construction methodology. 3. Mandatory Conditions. In granting a telecom permit under the provisions of this chapter, the following conditions, in addition to any other conditions deemed necessary or advisable, shall be imposed: a. That, should public necessity require, the permitted facility shall be removed or relocated by the permittee at no cost to the City upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the permittee from the City, and should any cost be incurred by the City in the removal of such facility the permittee shall reimburse it for said expense; b. That a certificate of insurance in amounts and form satisfactory to the City Risk Manager shall be filed with the City upon the granting of the telecom permit and shall be maintained in good standing at all times so long as the facility exists, releasing the City from any and all liability whatsoever in the granting of such permit; c. That the applicant shall expressly agree to each of the conditions imposed, including any which may be in addition to the foregoing, as a prerequisite to the granting of the telecom permit by the City; d. That to the extent possible, as determined by the Director, any facility to be located on the public right of way shall be co-located with similar facilities and all work done coordinated to coincide to the maximum extent possible with other work being done in the right of way to minimize disruption to the public; e. That to the extent possible applicant shall camouflage and make inconspicuous any facility permitted hereunder including but not limited to selections of colors and finishes to match and blend with its surroundings; f. That all antennas or telecom equipment shall be located a minimum of ten feet from a residential building; g. That upon the cessation of use or abandonment of the facility it shall be promptly removed at the expense of the applicant. H. Fee. The City may charge a fee, to be set by resolution of the City Council, for such a permit providing, however, that the amount of any such fee shall not exceed the cost to the City of processing the permit. I. Finality of Decision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this municipal code, the decision of the Director regarding the issuance or denial and conditions governing any telecom permit for a Standard Facility issued under this Chapter shall be final. The Director s decision regarding a Non-Standard facility may be appealed to the City Council. Any such appeal must be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the Director s decision. The appeal shall be heard by the City Council within twenty (20) days of the City s receipt of the appeal. Notice of the appeal shall be given to all property owners within 500 feet of the proposed facility. The decision of the City Council shall be final. J. Time Limit. Any telecom permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be developed and utilized within a period not to exceed twelve (12) months from and after the date of the granting of such permit, and, if not so developed and utilized, such permit automatically shall become null and void at the expiration of such twelve (12) month period. The permittee may apply in writing for one extension of time, not to exceed six (6) months, within which to develop and use such permit. The Director, in his or her sole discretion after due consideration, shall either grant or deny the extension of time for such development and use. K. Abandonment. The owner of a permitted facility shall submit written verification annually that the facility is operative. Any antenna structure and related equipment regulated by this chapter that is inoperative or unused for a period of six (6) consecutive months shall be deemed abandoned and declared a public nuisance. Removal of the abandoned structure shall follow procedures set forth in Chapter 9.68, Public Nuisances--Premises, of this Code. 6

11 Ord L. Restoration of Right of Way. Upon completion of the work authorized by a permit granted hereunder, the permittee shall restore the right of way or street, including but not limited to bridges and any other structure thereon, by replacing, repairing or rebuilding it in accordance with the specifications or any special requirement included in the permit, but not less than to its original condition before the encroachment work was commenced and in all cases in good usable quality. The permittee shall remove all obstructions, materials and debris upon the right of way and street, and shall do any other work necessary to restore the right of way and street to a safe and usable condition, as directed by the City Engineer. Where excavation occurs within areas already paved, the engineer may require temporary paving to be installed within four hours after the excavation area is backfilled. In the event that the permittee fails to act promptly to restore the right of way and/or street as provided in this section, or should the nature of any damage to the right of way or street require restoration before the permittee can be notified or can respond to notification, the City Engineer may, at his or her option, make the necessary restoration and the permittee shall reimburse the City for the full cost of such work Non-Telephone Telecommunications Facilities In The Public Right of Way Any entity which has not received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) or Wireless Registration Identification ( WRI ) from the California Public Utilities Commission as a telephone company which desires to install telecommunications facilities of any kind in the public right of way must obtain a franchise for said purpose which must be approved by the Manhattan Beach City Council. A franchise fee as specified in Section of this Chapter may be charged for said use Franchise Required for Other Utilities in the Public Right of Way Placement of any utility in the public right of way, with the sole exception of telephone lines used for telephone service, shall require a franchise to be approved by the City Council. The annual franchise fee shall be the maximum amount permitted by State law for the type of utility to be placed in the public right of way. If there is no specific fee set by State law for the utility to be placed in the public right of way. the annual franchise fee shall be established by Resolution of the City Council. Any franchised utility shall require an encroachment or right of way construction permit, issued pursuant to this Chapter for any installation, alteration or maintenance of facilities in the public right of way and the standards set forth herein shall apply. Each utility of like kind shall receive equal and comparable treatment under the procedures set forth in this Chapter to ensure a level playing field for competing enterprises Telecommunications Facilities on City Property A. City Council authority. No telecommunications facility may be located on public property belonging to or in the possession of the City without the express consent of the City Council. The City Council may require rent or other compensation to be paid for location of any telecommunications facility on public property owned or in the possession of the City. Applications shall be submitted to the City Manager or his or her designee. B. Notice. The City Manager or his or her designee shall provide notice to all property owners located within five hundred (500) feet of the proposed telecommunication facility at least ten calendar days prior to the date on which the proposed telecommunication facility application is to be considered by the City Council. No published notice shall be required. Notification materials shall be submitted by the applicant, and shall include a map showing the location and street address of the City property that is the subject of the application and of all lots of record within the prescribed 500 foot (500 ) radius and a list, drawn from the last equalized property tax assessment roll or the records of the County Assessor, Tax Collector, or the City s contractor for such records showing the names and addresses of the owner of record of each lot within the prescribed 500 foot (500 ) radius. This list shall be keyed to the map. The City may charge a fee, to be set by resolution of the City Council, for processing the public notice, however the amount of any such fee shall not exceed the cost to the City of processing the permit. C. Finality of Decision. The decision of the City Council regarding the lease or use of City property approved under this subsection shall be final. 7

12 Ord Provision of Telecommunications Services by Franchised Cable Operators Cable television franchises granted by the City shall not be interpreted to permit any activity other than what is expressly authorized by the franchise agreement. Any entity which has not received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) or Wireless Registration Identification ( WRI ) from the California Public Utilities Commission as a telephone company but is franchised to provide cable television service within the City and wishes to add other types of telecommunications services to offer to Manhattan Beach residents must amend its franchise agreement to include authorization to provide such service and may be required to pay an appropriate fee by the City Council for said privilege. Any entity franchised to provide cable television services within the City which has received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ( CPCN ) or Wireless Registration Identification ( WRI ) from the California Public Utilities Commission as a telephone company which desires to provide additional telecommunications services within the City must obtain the permits required under Section for any additional facilities it wishes to add to the public right of way related to said services Underground Utility Districts Any telecommunications facility located in the public right of way may be required to locate new facilities underground or relocate if formation of an underground utility district for the location is pending. A district will be considered pending if a petition signed by the required majority of property owners had been filed with the City to initiate engineering studies for formation of a district. The Director of Public Works or his or her designee may require existing telecommunications facilities to be relocated, placed underground, or removed at the owner s expense upon formation of an underground utility district Telecommunications Facilities on Private Property and Public Property Not Owned by City A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures and regulations for processing telecommunications facilities (including radio and satellite dish antenna) applications on private property and non-city owned public property and to create consistency between federal legislation and local ordinances. The intent of these regulations is to protect the public health, safety and general welfare while ensuring fairness and reasonable permit processing time. B. Telecom Permit Required. A telecom permit shall be required for the construction, modification and placement of all telecommunications facilities including Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulated amateur radio and satellite dish antennas in all districts and all wireless service facilities, including but not limited to, common carrier wireless exchange access services, unlicensed wireless services and commercial mobile services (i.e., cellular, personal communication services (PCS), specialized mobile radio (SMR) and paging services). All telecom permits issued under this section shall be administrative permits to be issued by the Director of Community Development or his or her designee. C. Exceptions. A telecom permit shall not be required for the construction, modification and placement of any satellite dish antenna measuring one (1) meter or less in diameter designed to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service and multichannel multi-point distribution services (MMDS) on masts not exceeding twelve feet (12') in height. D. Facilities on Non-commercially Zoned Property. No telecom permit shall be issued for a telecommunications facility to be placed on non-commercially zoned (RS, RM, RH, RPD, RSC, and PS zoning districts as per Title 10 of the Municipal Code) unless the following findings can be made: a. no feasible alternative non-residential site was available for the facility; 8

13 Ord b. adverse aesthetic impacts have been fully mitigated; c. the facility is in compliance with all development standards of the base zone in which it is located, including height limits; d. the facility is compatible with the neighborhood in which it is located. Amateur radio antennas, satellite dish antennas and home television antennas shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. See section G of this chapter for amateur radio antennas regulations and Municipal Code section for height restrictions applicable to other non-commercial radio and television antennas. A commercial telecom facility shall not be permitted to be located, constructed, or operated on or by means of any amateur radio antenna, satellite dish antenna and home television antenna facility or equipment that is exempted by this section. E. Submittal requirements. The following material shall be submitted with an application request for a permit under this section: a. Site plan and vicinity map; b. Elevation drawings and floor plans (survey may be required); c. An updated wireless master plan, detailing the exact nature and location of all existing and proposed future facilities (anticipated build-out) within the city, if applicable; d. At staff discretion color renderings, or photographs including photo simulations or computer generated images or on-site mock-ups showing the existing and proposed site conditions; e. Provide verification that the proposed facility complies with all applicable rules, regulations and licensing requirements of the FCC including a report prepared by an engineer, prepared at the applicant s expense, which quantifies the project s radio frequency (RF) exposures (including property accountability for nearby congregations of facilities) and compares them to FCC adopted standards. Following installation of the proposed facility, a subsequent field report shall be submitted detailing the project s cumulative field measurements of RF power densities and RF exposures compared to accepted FCC standards, if applicable; f. Information demonstrating compliance with applicable building, electrical, mechanical and fire codes and other public safety regulations; g. At the discretion of the Director or his or her designee the City may commission at the applicant s expense, a study evaluating the availability and feasibility of alternative sites; h. Public noticing materials, if required pursuant to section H of this Chapter. F. Standard of review. Permit applications under this section shall be processed administratively. Applications for satellite dish antennas and roof, wall or similarly mounted wireless service facilities including modification to existing monopole structures must be in compliance with the following applicable standards: 1. The proposed facility shall comply with all applicable development standards of the base district in which it is located. 2. The facility shall only exceed applicable height limits or height of existing buildings in non-residential zones by a maximum height of 8 feet above the existing building measured to the highest point adjacent to the antenna(s). 3. The impact on surrounding residential views shall be considered. Roof, wall or similarly mounted facilities and satellite dishes exceeding the existing structure height, or otherwise visible from the surrounding area, shall be screened or camouflaged on all sides to the satisfaction of the Director. Screening shall be architecturally integrated and compatible with the site on which it is located by incorporating appropriate use of color, texture, material and/or vegetation. Where screening potential is low, innovative designs or technology shall be incorporated to reduce the visual impact. 4. The applicant shall demonstrate good faith effort to co-locate on existing facilities or sites and in non-residential zones. Requests for co-location on existing monopoles or other wireless service facilities that do not increase the height, bulk or otherwise adversely detract from the existing facility, shall be approved if aesthetically acceptable and structurally and technologically feasible. 9

14 Ord All wires or cables necessary for operation shall be placed underground, except if attached flush to the building surface where not highly visible from surrounding uses. 6. No signage or advertisement shall be permitted except for required public safety signs. 7. Exterior facility lighting and fencing shall not be permitted unless required by federal regulations or by the Director for safety purposes. 8. The facility shall be in compliance with all applicable PUC and/or FCC standards. 9. The Director reserves the right to impose any other condition consistent with the purpose of this Chapter. G. Amateur Radio Antennas. Amateur radio antennas associated with the authorized operations of an amateur radio station licensed by the FCC (i.e., "HAM" radio transmission) shall be permitted in any district and administratively reviewed provided the structure complies with the following requirements: 1. No portion of the antenna structure shall be located in any required yard and all portions must maintain at least five feet (5') clearance from any property line (including support cables). 2. No portion of the antenna structure may exceed a height of sixty feet (60') above finished ground level grade. 3. Construction of such antenna shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 9.01 of this Municipal Code. Upon demonstration by the applicant that the above requirements prevent the possibility of receiving a signal of acceptable quality, an applicant may, through the appeal procedure specified in Chapter of this Municipal Code, request relief from the requirements of this section from the Planning Commission. H. Notice. Notice shall be given to all property owners located within five hundred (500) feet of the proposed location of a pending application both prior to and after a final decision of the Director for any application that: 1. Does not employ stealth technology and design to substantially camouflage the facility to be installed or visually blend with the site and its surroundings and which does not conform to the standards of the zone in which it is located as per Title 10 of the Municipal Code, or; 2. Would be located on a non-commercially zoned site (RS, RM, RH, RPD, RSC, and PS zoning districts as per Title 10 of the Municipal Code). The first notice of the pending application shall be given at least ten calendar days prior to the decision of the Director. The second notice, informing of the decision of the Director shall be given within five days of the decision. No published notice shall be required. Notification materials, if determined to be required, shall be submitted by the applicant, and shall include a map showing the location and street address of the property that is the subject of the application and of all lots of record within 500 feet (500 ) of the boundaries of the property; and a list, drawn from the last equalized property tax assessment roll or the records of the County Assessor, Tax Collector, or the City s contractor for such records showing the names and addresses of the owner of record of each lot within 500 feet (500 ) of the boundaries of the property. This list shall be keyed to the map. I. Finality of Decision. Notwithstanding any other provision of this municipal code, the decision of the Director regarding the issuance or denial and conditions governing any telecom permit issued under this Chapter shall be final with regard to any application which employs stealth technology and visually blends with its surroundings to the satisfaction of the Director and which is consistent with all development standards in the zone in which it is located as per Title 10 of the Municipal Code. J. Appeal. The Director s decision may be appealed to the City Council for applications where the proposed telecom site: 10

15 Ord Would be located on a non-commercially zoned site (RS, RM, RH, RPD, RSC, and PS zoning districts as per Title 10 of the Municipal Code); or 2. Does not employ stealth technology or does not visually blend with its surroundings to the satisfaction of the Director and is not consistent with all development standards in the zone in which it is located as per Title 10 of the Municipal Code. Any such appeal must be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the date of the Director s decision. The appeal shall be heard by the City Council within twenty (20) days of the City s receipt of the appeal. Notice of the appeal shall be in accord with section H above. No published notice shall be required. This section shall not apply to amateur HAM radios (see Section G of this chapter for appeal provisions for amateur radio antennas). K. Fee. The City may charge a fee, to be set by resolution of the City Council; however the amount of any such fee shall not exceed the cost to the City of processing the permit. L. Time Limit. Any telecom permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be developed and utilized within a period not to exceed twelve (12) months from and after the date of the granting of such permit, and, if not so developed and utilized, such permit automatically shall become null and void at the expiration of such twelve (12) month period. M. Abandonment. The owner of a permitted facility shall submit written verification annually that the facility is operative. Any antenna structure and related equipment regulated by this chapter that is inoperative or unused for a period of six (6) consecutive months shall be deemed abandoned and declared a public nuisance. Removal of the abandoned structure shall follow procedures set forth in Chapter 9.68, Public Nuisances--Premises, of this Code Denial of Telecommunications Permit The Director or, where applicable the City Council, shall grant a telecom permit for which a complete application has been submitted pursuant to this Chapter unless the decision maker can make the following findings: A. That installation of the facility will have significant negative impacts to the extent that it substantially interferes with the use of other properties; B. That a feasible alternative nonresidential site is available for the proposed facility; C. That denial of the proposed facility will not result in a competitive disadvantage to the applicant; D. That the denial does not discriminate against the applicant in favor of similarly situated competitors; E. That the denial shall not preclude the applicant from proposing an alternate location for the facility. Each finding set forth above shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record of the administrative proceeding regarding the application and denial Other Permits Nothing in this Chapter shall preclude a requirement for a Coastal Development Permit, Business License, Use Permit, Right of Way construction permit or other, City, State or County permit if otherwise required for the encroaching activity Revocation The City Council may revoke any telecom permit for noncompliance with the conditions set forth in granting such permit or if it is determined that such facility creates a public nuisance or otherwise has negative impacts on surrounding properties. In doing so, the City Council shall make the findings required under Section above. A written notice shall be mailed to the permittee of such revocation. The City Council s decision regarding the revocation shall be final. 11